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Close Interval Potential Surveys (CIPS or CIS) using

MCMs Integrated Pipeline Survey Test Equipmentand Database Management Package

CIS Training ManualDA Meter Version

M.C. Miller Co., Inc.

11640 U.S. Highway 1, Sebastian, FL 32958 U.S.A.

Telephone: 772 794 9448; Website: www.mcmiller.com

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MANUAL CONTENTS

Page

SECTION I: INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

I. 1

I. 2I. 3

I. 4

Introduction .

Background on ECDA Methodology and Role of CIS ...CIS Overview ..

Key Components of a CIS Measurement System

4

4

5

6

SECTION II: MCMs REFERENCE ELECTRODE FOR CIS

II. 1 Background ... 8

II. 2 How to Prepare Reference Electrode for Use 10

II. 3 How to Use Reference Electrode in CIS Measurements ............... 11

II. 4 How to Use Matched-Pairs of Reference Electrodes (Canes) .. 12

SECTION III: MCMs DA METER (DATA-LOGGER)

III. 1 Introduction ... 14

III. 2 How to Set Up the DA Meter for CIS Applications .. 15

III. 3 How to Make Changes to Your Set Up Selections 46

SECTION IV: TEST EQUIPMENT HOOK-UPS FOR CIS

IV. 1 How to Make Cable Hook-Ups for CIS Measurements . 47

IV. 2 How to Attach Cables and Accessories to the DA Meter 48

Continued Over/

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SECTION V: HOW TO PERFORM CLOSE INTERVAL SURVEYS

V.1 How to Carry Test Equipment During a CIS .. 50V.2 How to Examine and Record a High/Low Voltage Waveform 51V.3 How to Record the Voltages at a Starting Test Station 53V.4 How to Perform a CIS .. 54

V.5 How to Use the GPS Buttons, if Active, on the Survey Screen . 65

SECTION VI: HOW TO COPY SURVEY FILES FROM THE

DA METER TO YOUR PC

VI. 1 Introduction 67

VI. 2 The Manual Approach ... 67

VI. 3 Using the Driver in the ProActive Program ... 68

APPENDIX 1:

APPENDIX 2:

How to Connect the Chainer and Counter Unit

for CIS Applications .. 77

How to Delete Survey Files from the DA Meter ...... 85

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SECTION I: INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

I. 1 Introduction

This manual is designed to provide individuals who will be performing

Close Interval Potential Surveys (CIPS or CIS) with a practical knowledge

of how to select appropriate test equipment, how to set up and properlyconnect the test apparatus, how to actually perform close interval potential

surveys, and, ultimately, how to transfer (upload) stored survey data from

data-loggers to a database management system, after performing such surveys. The equipment and software described here comprise MCMs

Integrated Pipeline Survey Test Equipment and Database Management

Package.

I. 2 Background on the ECDA methodology and the role of CIS

By way of background, the National Association of Corrosion Engineers

(NACE), under a directive from the U.S. Government, recently developed a

methodology for assessing and reducing the impact of external corrosion on

the integrity of onshore buried pipelines (primarily ferrous pipelines). The

methodology is termed an External Corrosion Direct Assessment (ECDA).ECDA is a continuous improvement process designed to not only identify

areas where external corrosion is underway, but to also predict potentialfuture corrosion areas, which will assist greatly in future corrosion

prevention.

The ECDA methodology is a 4 step process and each step must be

performed to fully-satisfy the integrated requirements of an ECDAevaluation. The 4 major steps in the process are summarized below:

Step 1: Pre-Assessment.This step requires the integration of historical, construction, operations andmaintenance records for each ECDA Region.

Step 2: Indirect Inspection.

The objective of this step is to estimate areas of active corrosion by

performing above-the-ground measurements.

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The results obtained in Step 2 are compared with the information compiled

in Step 1 and areas that need to receive Direct Examination are identified.

Step 3: Direct Examination.

The objective of this step is to excavate (dig) at least in those areas identifiedusing the complementary steps above (steps 1 and 2) and, by directinspection, to measure the extent of corrosion in those areas. Typically, wallthickness is measured and other corrosion-related data are collected in this

step.

Step 4: Post-Assessment

The objective of this step is to prioritize the repair schedule and to decide on

the mitigation approaches to be used based on the results obtained in Step 3.The period of time before the next integrity evaluation is to be undertaken is

also decided in this step for each ECDA Region.

The subject of this Training Manual is a measurement process that is applied

in Step 2 of the ECDA evaluation process, ie, in the Indirect Inspection

Step. The measurement process is known as a close interval potential

survey (CIPS or CIS), the details of which are discussed below.

I. 3 CIS Overview

With regard to Indirect Inspection of a buried pipeline, one major

technique that is employed is a close interval potential survey (CIS), which

involves performing above-the-ground measurements of pipe-to-soil

potential (voltage) along the entire length of the pipeline. In a CIS, it iscritical that measurements be made in a highly consistent fashion (from

individual technician to individual technician) and data (pipe-to-soilpotentials) be recorded and analyzed in a consistent fashion in order that

such data can be considered an integral part of an ECDA evaluation.

Close interval potential surveys are performed in order to obtain a

continuous potential profile along the pipeline.

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In the Cathodic Protection industry, it is well known that pipe-to-soil

potential (voltage) measurements at test stations, which are typically spaceda considerable distance apart, are insufficient to judge the overall condition

of a pipeline and to judge whether or not there is complete protection. As a

result, close interval potential surveys involving the measurement ofpotentials at short intervals along the entire length of a pipeline have becomethe industry standard. In fact, with regard to the ECDA protocol, pipe-to-soil potential readings are typically recorded at 2.5 feet intervals between

test stations. (Test stations are insulated electrodes that are in permanent

electrical contact with the pipeline and that can be contacted above ground.)

I. 4 Key Components of a CIS Measurement System

The diagram below (Figure 1) illustrates the essential components of a close

interval potential survey measurement apparatus.

Figure 1: Key Components of a CIS Test Equipment System

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The key components of the CIS apparatus are the reference electrode,

connecting the negative terminal of the data-logger to the soil, and the datalogger, the positive terminal of which is connected to the test station (and

therefore to the pipe). The data-logger is a sophisticated digital

voltmeter/data storage unit. Consequently, with this apparatus, the potentialdifference (voltage difference) between the pipe and the soil (at the referenceelectrode location) can be measured, and this data point (voltage at a specificlocation along the length of the pipe with respect to the reference electrode)

can be stored for processing by means of the digital voltmeter/data storage

unit (data logger). Similarly, data (of pipe-to-soil potential with respect to

the reference electrode) can be recorded at intervals of, typically, 2.5 to 5.0 feet along the length of the pipeline.

The ultimate goal of a CIS is to identify locations (if any) along the length of

a buried pipeline that are not registering a sufficient potential differencebetween pipe and soil, which would be indicative of locations that might be

experiencing external corrosion. As discussed below in Section II, there isan industry standard (0.85 Volts or 850mV) which is applied in the Cathodic

Protection industry and which represents the minimum potential difference(voltage) recorded between the pipe and the soil (with respect to a particular

reference electrode (see below in Section II)), that signifies sufficientcathodic protection. Since, on a pipeline that is under cathodic protection(impressed current CP), the pipe is held at negative potential (negative side

of the rectifier is connected to the pipe), the minimum potential differencebetween pipe and soil would be -0.85 Volts. Any more-positive (less-

negative) voltages, for example, -0.7 Volts, would suggest insufficientcathodic protection and would indicate a location where external corrosion

might be taking place. Actually, a potential difference of greater than -0.85Volts (for example, -1.0 Volt or higher) might be required to be in the safe

area with regard to a pipeline being fully cathodically protected undercurrent flow conditions, particularly if the amount of (ionic) current flowing

in the soil from the anode to the pipe is large. This situation would result in

a significant, so-called, IR drop (voltage drop) due to the current flow in the

soil which must be added to the minimum 0.85 Volt potential difference toensure sufficient cathodic protection. As is discussed in Section III, it is

possible to determine the magnitude of this IR drop voltage during the

performance of a CIS by conducting the CIS measurements in the High-Low, or current-interrupted, mode, where the pipe-to-soil potential is

sampled as the current is switched ON and OFF in a cyclic fashion (see

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Section III). The critical pipe-to-soil potential (with regard to ensuring

sufficient cathodic protection) would be the potential measured during thecurrent OFF part of the cycle, since in this case the IR drop would be

eliminated.

In any case, once a critical pipe-to-soil potential difference has been

established for sufficient cathodic protection of a particular pipeline (takingthe IR drop into account), a CIS can be performed to monitor the condition

of the pipe, by comparing the pipeline potential profile recorded with theideal case scenario, which would be a uniform (constant) potential along the

length of the pipe.

The following two sections, Sections II and III, describe the setup

procedures and operation of the reference electrodes and data-loggers

employed in MCMs Integrated CIS Test Equipment Package.

SECTION II: MCMs REFERENCE ELECTRODE FOR CIS

II. 1 Background

As illustrated in Figure 1 in the above section (Section I), the reference

electrode makes physical contact with the ground (soil) and is connectedelectrically to the negative terminal of the data-logger (digital voltmeter/data

storage unit). Since the reference electrode is an integral part of theelectrical circuit that is allowing the data-logger to measure the potential

difference between the pipe and the soil, the reference electrode must make good and consistent electrical contact with the soil at each measurement

point during a CIS.

The industry standard reference electrode for pipe-to-soil measurements is

the copper-copper sulphate half-cell or, as its more commonly referred to

as, the copper sulphate reference electrode. A schematic illustration of anMCM copper sulphate reference electrode is shown in Figure 2. Also shownin the figure is the reference electrode attached to a push-button cane

assembly for use in CIS measurements (see Section III. 3, step 6).

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Figure 2: MCMs Reference Electrode

As can be seen in Figure 2, the reference electrode consists of a pure copper

rod that is immersed in a saturated copper sulphate solution within the body

of the electrode. The copper rod connects electrically to the negativeterminal of the data-logger. During operation, the porous plug is saturated

with the copper sulphate solution and it is the solution-saturated plug thatmakes actual electrical contact with the soil (not the copper rod itself).

It should be noted that the copper/saturated copper sulphate solution

combination within the body of the electrode, is actually a half-cell with abuilt-in half-cell potential (voltage).

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Consequently, when the data-logger is connected between the reference

electrode and the pipe, as shown in Figure 1 (Section I), the observedvoltage reading is actually a combination of two voltages, the copper-copper

sulphate half-cell voltage (a constant voltage) and the pipe-to-soil voltage

(variable, depending on corrosion conditions).

Therefore, if it can be assumed that the reference electrode half-cell voltage

is fixed (a constant value), any variation in the voltage measurements

recorded during a CIS can be assumed to be due to variations in pipe-to-soilpotential and, therefore, due to the external corrosive condition of the pipe in

the various measurement areas. The industry standard voltage value of-0.85 Volts discussed in Section I. 3, which represents a minimum pipe-to-

soil potential difference for adequate protection against corrosion, is actuallya combination (sum) of the reference electrode half-cell voltage and the

pipe-to-soil voltage.

Consequently, since so much emphasis is placed on this critical

voltage value, it is imperative that the reference electrode be

set up, operated and maintained appropriately so that its half-

cell voltage value will, in fact, be fixed.

II. 2 How to Prepare Reference Electrode for Use

The reference electrode will arrive from M.C. Miller Co., Inc. (MCM)

assembled, but without liquid in the plastic tube. There will, however, be a

concentration of blue copper sulphate crystals inside of the transparentplastic tube. To prepare the reference electrode for use, the transparent

plastic tube should be unscrewed from the threaded cap/copper rod assembly

(by turning the plastic tube counter-clockwise with respect to the threadedcap/copper rod assembly) and the tube (with the copper sulphate crystals at

the bottom) should be filled up to about inch from the bottom of the

threads with distilled water (or MCMs Electrode Anti-Freeze solution).The plastic tube should then be screwed back on to the threaded cap/copperrod assembly and tightened firmly (do not over-torque) to effectively seal

the tube via the compressed O-ring. At this point, the electrode assembly

should be shaken a few times to make sure that a saturated solution of

copper sulphate is formed inside the tube. Remember that the half-cell is

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established, as discussed in (Section II. 1), between the copper rod and a

saturated copper sulphate solution. Once the tube is shaken, the liquid willbe blue in color and there should always be some excess copper sulphate

crystals remaining out of solution at the bottom of the tube. Before using the

reference electrode for the first time, a period of at least 5 minutes should beallowed, after filling the tube and establishing the saturated solution, in orderthat the porous plug on the bottom of the electrode tube can become moist.The protective cap supplied with the electrode assembly should be kept on

the porous plug end when the electrode is not being used.

For more details on the preparation and maintenance of copper sulphate

reference electrodes, including important safety precautions, please visit

the M. C. Miller Co., Inc. website at www.mcmiller.com. On the home page, click on manuals, data sheets and then click on Electrodes How

to use and maintain copper sulphate electrodes.

II. 3 How to Use Reference Electrode in CIS Measurements

In order to proceed with CIS measurements, remove the protective cap from

the porous end of a properly setup (prepared) MCM reference electrode [see

Section II. 2 for preparation instructions].

Place the reference electrode (porous plug side down) on the ground over thepipe at the first measurement location (typically at a test station electrode).

The porous plug of the reference electrode (suitably moist) should be in firmcontact with moist soil.

This may require digging in where the earths surface is dry. If the soil is

particularly dry, it may be necessary to moisten the soil around the electrodeusing fresh water to obtain good electrical contact.

The top terminal of the reference electrode is connected to the negative side

of the data-loggers voltmeter and the positive side of the voltmeter isconnected to the test station electrode (Note: The specifics on cable hook-

ups are provided in Section IV).

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For CIS work, the reference electrode plastic tube assembly is attached to an

extension rod (commonly know as a cane) for upright handheld operation.The cane handle houses a push-button switch (for triggering voltage

recordings and other events) and the terminal on the cane for electrical

connection to the data-logger is a 5-pin connector. As discussed in SectionIV, the receiving terminal for the reference electrode on the data-logger isalso a 5-pin connector. All electrical cables are provided for theseconnections in the MCM Integrated CIS Test Equipment Package. A

schematic illustration of a reference electrode cane assembly is shown above

in Figure 2.

If a matched-pair of reference electrodes (canes) is to be used (see Section

II. 4), the top terminals of the two canes are connected to an MCM adapter(dual-probe adapter) and the adapter is connected (effectively) to the

negative terminal of the voltmeter (see Section IV for cable hook-ups).

At this point, a voltage reading can be made using the data-logger,

establishing the pipe-to-soil potential difference (with respect to the copper

sulphate electrode) at the first measurement location. The operatingprocedures for the data-logger are described in Section III. All

subsequent CIS measurements can be made in the same fashion by movingdown the length of the pipeline between test stations and placing thereference electrode (or electrodes, if using a matched-pair) in good electrical

contact with the soil at intervals of 2.5 feet, or some other distance interval.Since the distance between test stations can be significant, the electrical wire

(trail wire) connecting the data-logger to a test station needs to have

considerable length.

II. 4 How to Use Matched-Pairs of Reference Electrodes (Canes)

In CIS measurements, it is convenient to use a pair of matched reference

electrodes, rather than a single reference electrode. A pair of electrodes is

referred to as either a set of poles or a set of canes. As is discussed in

Section III, MCMs data-loggers can be set up to accept readings (voltage

readings) during the performance of a CIS from two reference electrodes(canes). In this case, the canes would be connected to the data-logger via thedual-probe adapter mentioned above.

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Since each cane in the pair has a push-button switch located on the handle

section on top of the cane, the individual performing the CIS can determinewhich of the two canes (reference electrodes) is to be involved in a voltage

recording at any given time. As discussed in Section III. 3, these push

buttons can also be designated to have other functions, such as registering asurvey flag location, for example.

When performing CIS measurements using a pair of canes, one of the canes

is held in the operators right hand (green-colored cane) while the secondcane is held in the operators left hand (red-colored cane). When, for

example, the right-hand cane is placed in electrical contact with the soilabove the pipe and the push-button switch is activated on the cane, the DA

Meter (see Section III. 3) will record the pipe-to-soil potential with respectto the right-hand cane (reference electrode). Similarly, when the left-hand

cane is placed in electrical contact with the soil above the pipe and the push-button switch is activated on the cane, the DA Meter will record the pipe-to-

soil potential with respect to the left-hand cane (reference electrode),

assuming that both canes have been set up to read voltages (see Section

III. 3, Step 7).

There are several advantages to using a pair of canes (reference electrodes),

rather than a single cane (a single reference electrode) for CIS. For example,both canes can be used to record pipe-to-soil voltages in an alternating

fashion (one after the other) as the operator walks down the length of thepipeline. In this fashion, the operator can establish a rhythm, very much like

a cross-country skier, contacting the soil above the pipe every 2.5 feet bytriggering the left-hand cane, then the right-hand cane, then the left-hand

cane etc., etc.

Also, one of the canes, for example, the left-hand cane could be used to

register the location of survey flags, which are typically located every

100 feet down the length of a pipeline. With this arrangement, the right-hand cane would be used to record pipe-to soil voltages every 2.5 feet while

the left-hand cane would register survey flags. This methodology has theadvantage of periodic checks on the operators location, with the DAMeters software being able to re-establish starting points every 100 feet

(survey flag separation).

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A critical requirement with regard to using reference electrode pairs is that

the two electrodes (canes) be essentially identical. As discussed in SectionII. 1, a copper/copper sulphate reference electrode is a half-cell with a built-

in voltage and the half-cell is an integral part of the electrical circuit of

Figure 1 (Section I). Consequently, if two reference electrodes (canes) areused to measure pipe-to-soil potential in an alternating fashion, their half-cell voltages need to be essentially identical if any measured pipe-to-soil

potential differences are to be attributed to the corrosive condition of the

pipe, rather than to any variation in the half-cell voltages of the two

reference electrodes.

A pair of canes can be tested for compatibility in the following manner: The

two electrodes can be placed end-to-end (with the moist porous plug ends infirm contact) and the voltage difference between them measured using a

high-input-impedance voltmeter connected between their top terminals. If avoltage difference (difference in half-cell voltages) of less than 10mV is

observed, the two reference electrodes (canes) are matched. The tworeference electrodes could also be placed in a plastic bucket containing fresh

water and the voltage difference measured again between their top terminals.If this voltage is less than 10mV, the two reference electrodes are matched

for use as a cane pair in CIS measurements.

SECTION III: MCMs DA METER (DATA-LOGGER)

III. 1 Introduction

MCM data-loggers are sophisticated high-input-impedance digital

voltmeter/data storage units that are used in conjunction with the reference

electrodes described above in Section II to perform CIS measurements.

When properly connected with reference electrodes (as described in Section

IV), a data-logger reads and records pipe-to-soil voltages (with respect to a

reference electrode) at each of the measurement locations along the length of

the pipeline (typically every 2.5 feet for CIS work).

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The particular data-logger described here is the, so-called, DA Meter. This

data-logger is a combination of a high-input-impedance digital voltmeter anda handheld Personal Computer (PC). The operating system of the PC is

Windows for Handheld PC 2000 and MCM has designed proprietary

application software programs in order that the DA Meter can be employedto run both Scripted Site Surveys and Pipeline Surveys (such as CIS,DCVG and Surface Potential Surveys).

Your DA Meter data-logger will arrive from MCM with the Windows

operating system and our survey application programs installed. The survey

application programs will remain installed unless the main battery pack, andits backup, are allowed to fully-discharge, in which case the application

programs will have to be re-installed (see your DA Meter Users Manual).However, your survey data will always be safe, regardless of battery status,

as these data are stored in a non-volatile memory (CompactFlash Card).

The particular application software program required to run Close Interval

Survey (CIS) applications is called the DA Meter PLS (Pipe Line Survey)

program and the use of this program is described below in detail in Section

III. 2.

III. 2 How to Set Up the DA Meter for CIS Applications

The following section outlines the steps required to setup the DA Meter toparticipate in CIS measurement applications. The setup process establishes

the conditions of the particular survey about to be performed and identifiesthe section of pipeline that is about to be examined by the CIS application.

The setup process also establishes a file in which the voltage recordings(survey data) will be stored. At the completion of the survey, CIS data can

then be retrieved by a PC that is in communication with the DA Meter, byaccessing the file in which the survey data are stored. The process of

transferring CIS data to a PC following completion of a survey is discussedin Section VI.

Step 1:Switch on the DA Meter by pressing the power button. Assuming that the

battery pack is charged, the screen will light up and will display the

Windows Powered (Handheld PC 2000) desktop screen as shown below(assuming that the operating system running your DA Meter is WindowsHandheld PC 2000).

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Step 2:

Double tap (using the special pen (stylus) provided with the DA Meter) onthe DA Meter PLS icon. This will open the software program that will

run the DA Meter for Pipeline Surveys. The window shown below willappear.

Note: It may take a few seconds for this window to appear.

This is the Main Survey Window. At this point, a survey has not been set up

(the setup process is what we are going through here) and so no information is currently displayed in this window.

Step 3:Tap once on the Survey button situated in the Menu Bar in the top left-hand corner of the window. The window shown below will appear.

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Under Survey there are several options. If this is a new survey (not a

continuation of a previous survey) tap once on New Survey. The windowshown below will appear.

Step 4:Enter a filename for the Survey using the keyboard.

Note: This is an important step as the filename is used to identify the survey

and, also, recorded data (voltages) will be stored in this named file for futureretrieval. It is highly recommended that a protocol be established for

selecting Survey Filenames. Critical information should be included in thefilename, such as pipeline companysname, city or state in which the

pipeline is located, pipeline number and section of pipeline number undersurvey. The protocol developed should be applied consistently for each

survey.

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For example, lets assume that pipeline company XYZ has a pipeline located

in Texas and that the pipeline is identified as pipeline 12 and a survey isbeing performed on section 085 of this pipeline. A good filename for this

survey would be:

XYZ TX 12 085 CIS

When this data file is later accessed, with this filename we know the name of

the pipeline owner, we know the state in which the pipeline is located, weknow the pipeline number, we know the section number of the pipeline that

was surveyed and we know that it was a CIS.

Note: You will not be permitted to use invalid characters, such as

slashes( / or \ ), as part of a filename. You will be alerted if you try to

use any invalid characters.

Step 5:Tap once on the OK button. The window shown below will appear. This is the first of 5, so-called, setup windows.

Step 6:

Select Survey Type.For CIS measurements there are 2 options for type of survey: Trigger CIS

and Continuous CIS. Other survey types are available as can be seen bytapping once on the pull-down list arrow button in the Survey Type field,as shown below.

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As can be seen from the above screen, DCVG, combined DCVG/CIS and

Surface Potential Surveys are available for selection, however, for CIS-Only

surveys, either Continuous CIS or Trigger CIS should be selected by tappingonce on the selection.

In Trigger CIS mode, voltage recordings are triggered by the operator

pressing on the push-button switch located on top of a reference electrode

cane (data probe) while making electrical contact with the soil above the

pipe with the copper/copper sulphate half-cell end of the cane.

Consequently, in this survey mode, the operator is in control of the timing

of when voltage recordings are made as a CIS is conducted.

Note: The Trigger CIS mode should also be selected when using thetrigger cable (part # SIN024) for automatic triggering of readings inconjunction with the wire chainer/counter unit.

In contrast, with the Continuous CIS mode, the timing of when voltage

recordings will be made is preset. For instance, if you select 1 second

intervals, voltage recordings will be made every second. Consequently, the

operator must synchronize his cane repositioning pace to match the preset voltage recording timing.

Step 7:Select the function (operating mode) of the cane buttons associated with the

two reference electrodes (canes) to be used in the CIS. Selections are made

by tapping choices in the D.C. P. and Survey fields shown in the Step 5

screen above.

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The function of the cane buttons during regular survey measurements is

determined by the selection made in the survey field while the selectionmade in the D.C.P. field determines the function of the cane buttons when

measurements are made at specially-identified locations (devices).

Cane Button FunctionsDuring Regular Survey (Between Devices)

The functionality available for the cane buttons depends on the survey mode

selected in Step 6 [Trigger mode or Continuous (automatic) mode].

If the Trigger CIS mode is selected, the screen will appear as shown below.

For the above screen, the pull-down-list arrow button in the Survey field was

tapped to reveal the 4 choices for the push buttons on the pair of canes to beused in the Trigger CIS (the left cane, held in the left hand with the left

thumb operating the left cane button and the right cane, held in the righthand with the right thumb operating the right cane button) .

Manual Triggering of Readings:

The left and right cane buttons can both be selected to read voltages

(read read) meaning that as the operator walks down the pipeline

alternately contacting the soil with the left and right canes, a voltagerecording will be made when either cane is triggered. Alternatively, one of

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the canes can be selected to read voltages while the other is selected to

register the location of a survey flag (survey flags are typically located every100 feet down the length of a pipeline). This would be the (flag read) or

(read flag) choice. In this case, the push button on the cane selected to

register flags would only be pressed at each survey flag location. Finally,the (flag flag) choice can be selected and, in this case, both canes wouldonly be used to register survey flags. Pressing the push-button on the readdesignated cane or pressing the cane button on the flag designated cane

has the same affect as tapping the read button (and saving the reading) or the

flag button, respectively.

Automatic Triggering of Readings:

When the trigger cable (part # SIN024) is used in conjunction with the wirechainer/counter unit, the trigger cable signal simulates the action of the left-

hand (red-handled) data probe push button, while the right-hand (green-handled) data probe push button is disabled (has no effect). Consequently,

in this case, it is important that the left-hand data-probe push button bedesignated as a read button, while the right-hand push button can be

designated as either read or flag (again, the right-hand data probe pushbutton is not a factor). The appropriate selections would be read read, or,

read flag. In this case, survey flags can be designated by tapping the Flagbutton on the survey screen.

If Continuous CIS mode is selected, the screen will be as shown below.

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The 4 choices for the set of two canes in the Continuous CIS mode are

revealed in the Survey field by tapping once on the pull-down-list arrow.The 4 choices are shown in the screen above. In this case, one of the cane

buttons can be selected to effect a pause in the continuous (automatic every

so many seconds as prescribed) voltage recordings while the other canebutton is selected to register survey flag locations [(flag pause) or (pauseflag)]. Alternatively, both cane buttons can be selected to register flags or to affect pauses. The pause cane would also act as the start or restart cane.

Cane Button FunctionsAt Device Locations

Devices are defined as specially-identifiable entities that exist along thelength of the pipeline. Examples of Devices include, rectifiers, test

stations, valves, etc.

For both CIS modes (Trigger and Continuous), a cane button function

selection (selection will apply to both left and right canes) has to be made

with regard to Data Collection Points (see D.C.P. field in above screen). AData Collection Point is a Device location point.

In this case there are 3 choices: None, Accept and Accept and Save.

Your selection is made by tapping once in the circle beside your choice.

If none is selected: Pressing a cane button will do nothing. In this case,

you would have to tap the accept and then save buttons on the screen,having previously tapped the device button, if you wished to read and

record the voltage data at the Device location.

If accept is selected: Pressing a cane button has the same effect as

tapping the accept button on the Device Readings screen.

If accept and save is selected: Pressing a cane button has the same effect

as tapping the accept button and then tapping the save button on the DeviceReadings screen.

For the most part, selecting the accept and save choice will be preferable,

since voltage recordings at special data collection points (such as rectifiers,

test stations, valves, etc.) are important and should be saved as part of theoverall CIS and the most convenient way to do this is to use the push-button

on one of the canes, having tapped on the Device button on the screen

when a Device is encountered.

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Step 8a:Make Survey Walking Direction selection

The Survey Walking Direction field is shown in the screen above as part

of the Setup 1 of 5 screen. There are only 2 selection choices: Increasing

and Decreasing.

This selection establishes the walking direction during the survey. If the

survey is going to entail walking from a low-numbered test station to ahigher-numbered test station, for example, select Increasing by tapping

once on the circle beside Increasing. Select Decreasing if the opposite

is true.

Step 8b:Make selection of Metric units if required.

By checking off the box labeled Metric, the reading interval (distance

between voltage recordings) and the flag internal (flag spacing) will be

displayed on the Setup 3 of 5 screen in meters, as opposed to feet.

Step 8c:Check-off DCVG Sidedrains in CIS Survey if you plan to log DCVG

sidedrain readings at previously located anomalies during the course of aCIS.

By doing so, a special Device selection , named Mark DCVG will be

made available in the Device list, which has a sidedrain prompt associatedwith it, as indicated in the screens shown below.

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The Mark DCVG device will not appear in the Device list if this box is not

checked, which would be the case if you were conducting a regular CIS.

If the following selections have been made so far, the Setup 1 of 5 screen

will appear as shown below:

Survey Type: Trigger CIS

Survey: Flag Read

D.C.P.: Accept Save

Survey Walking Direction: Increasing; Metric: NOT selected

Step 9:Make Rectifier Mode selection.

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In the case where a pipeline is cathodically-protected via an impressed

current (current flow to the pipe from a sacrificial anode driven by an external DC voltage source), the rectifier (DC voltage source) is typically

always ON, so that the line is continuously protected. However, with

current flowing in the soil to the pipe, the pipe-to-soil voltages beingmeasured during a CIS will include any voltage drop (IR drop) occurring inthe soil itself.

If a large amount of current is flowing in the soil and/or the soil has a high-

resistivity, the magnitude of the voltage drop (IR drop) could be significant.

Consequently, it is important to measure the actual pipe-to-soil potential(voltage) with no current flowing in the soil, with a view to establishing that

the pipe is at a sufficiently negative potential (at least -0.85 Volts withrespect to copper sulphate reference electrodes). The problem is that the

rectifiers (DC voltage sources) cannot be switched OFF for the duration ofCIS measurements, since the pipeline would lose its cathodic protection

while the CIS measurements were being performed.

The solution to this problem is to only interrupt the current flow for very

short periods of time (typically less than a second) and to be able to recordthe pipe-to-soil voltages (with respect to the reference electrode) during the

current OFF periods. If pipe-to-soil voltages are also recorded during thecurrent ON periods, the magnitude of the IR drop canbe determined,

which would just be the difference between the current ON and currentOFF voltages.

In terms of CIS measurements, a convenient way to sample or capture

current ON and current OFF pipe-to-soil voltages is to employ aCurrent Interrupter which is a current-switching device that is connected

to a Rectifier. The Current Interrupter can be programmed to switch therectifier current ON and OFF in a predetermined cyclic fashion.

In this case, when a cane is in contact with the soil and the push button onthe cane is pressed, in the process of a CIS, the DA Meter will record the

High and Low voltages taken over at least one current ON/OFF cycle.

Such a Current Interrupted method is known as a High/Low CIS mode.

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It should be noted that all rectifiers that might have an affect on a pipeline

under survey (ie, might generate current in the line) need to simultaneouslybe switched ON and OFF in an identical cyclic fashion and, in addition, all

current-interrupter waveforms (ON/OFF) cycles need to be synchronized

with each other. In other words, all rectifiers need to be ON at the sametime and for the same length of time, and all rectifiers need to OFF at thesame time and for the same length of time. One way to accomplish suchsynchronization, is to have GPS receivers integrated with current-interrupter

switches and to employ a GPS satellites timing system to control the current

switching timing on all participating rectifiers simultaneously.

Such GPS Receiver/Current Interrupter Switches are available through

MCM. This type of current-interrupted method is known as a GPS

Satellite-Synchronized High/Low CIS mode.

Figure 2 shows an illustration of a CIS being performed using GPS satellite-

synchronization of rectifier current-interrupter switches. Again, theON/OFF current switching cycle would be synchronized for all rectifiers

having an affect on the pipeline section being surveyed.

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Figure 2: A GPS satellite-synchronized high/low CIS mode

illustration

Of course, a CIS can be performed with rectifiers permanently ON (current

permanently flowing in the soil during measurements) and this method is

known as a Non-Interrupted CIS mode, since, in this case, the rectifiercurrent is non-interrupted.

Finally, a CIS can be performed with rectifiers permanently OFF, which

could be the case, for example, if a potential profile is desired of a depolarized pipeline, ie, a pipeline whose polarization potential has had achance to fully dissipate. Under such conditions, however, the pipeline

would not be cathodically-protected.

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Rectifier Mode Selection:

By tapping once on the pull-down list arrow button in the Rectifier Modefield on the Setup 1 of 5 screen, the screen shown below will appear.

As can be seen on the above screen, there are 3 choices for RectifierMode: Cycle ON/OFF, Always ON and Always OFF.

If Always ON is selected, it will be assumed that the rectifiers affecting the

line will be permanently ON, which would be the case, for example, for a

non-interrupted CIS.

If Always OFF is selected, it will be assumed that all rectifiers having anaffect on the line will be permanently OFF (at least for the duration of the

CIS).

If Cycle ON/OFF is selected, it will be assumed that all rectifiers having an

affect on the line have current-interrupters installed and that their switchingwaveforms will be synchronized. This would be the case for a High/Low

CIS.

Step 10:

Tap once on the Next button.

The screen shown below will appear (Setup 2 of 5).

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Step 11:Make Selection of Maximum Acceptable % Difference between Far and

Near Ground Readings.

When you are reconnecting the trailing wire from one test station to another

test station further down the pipeline, the last voltage recorded prior to

breaking the connection with the first test station should be recorded as aDevice voltage. After tapping on the Device button on the survey screen and selecting Reconnect, follow the predetermined voltage

recording procedures for a Reconnect. The specific procedures for a given Device, such as a Reconnect, will have been scripted via the software.

The voltage recorded prior to disconnecting the trailing wire will be

considered the FAR-Ground reading, since you will be FAR (perhaps a mile) from the first test station. Once the reconnect has been made at the

second test station, you will be prompted to make a new voltage recording.This new voltage recording will be considered the Near-Ground reading,

since you are standing very NEAR to the second test station.

By tapping once inside the field marked Max. acceptable Far and Near

Ground Reading Difference %, the number indicated (in the above case the

number shown is 5) can be changed to any % value desired by pressing the

delete (DEL) key on the keyboard and typing in a new number.

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If, for example, the number (5) is entered in this field, it means that the

maximum allowable difference between FAR and NEAR voltage recordingshas been set at 5%, otherwise an error window will be displayed on the

screen. If the FAR and NEAR voltage recordings are within 5% (in this

case) of each other, there will be no error message. If, on the other hand, therecordings differ by more than 5%, an error window will appear on thescreen. The error window will indicate 2 options:

Option 1:

Option 2:

Retake Near Reading

Accept This Error

By selecting Option 1, you have the chance to make another recording at the

second test station which would be compared to the stored FAR-Ground

recording. If this voltage difference is

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This selection pertains to a GPS receiver that can be connected to the DA

Meter. The GPS receiver can be called upon to log the precise location of

Devices or Geographical Features that are encountered during a CIS.

As can be seen from the screen, there are 4 choices for GPS Type:

None:

MCM:

NMEA:

Manual:

This means that a GPS receiver is not being used

This means that an MCM GPS receiver is being used

This means that a GPS receiver (other than the MCM receiver)

that is capable of outputting NMEA data is being used

This means that location data will be entered manually when

the GPS button is pressed on the survey screen during a CIS.

Select the appropriate choice by tapping once on your selection.

Step 14:Select GPS Options.

On the far right-hand side of the Setup 2 of 5 screen as shown above, there is

a group of boxes associated with a GPS accessory. If a GPS accessory hasbeen selected for use with the DA Meter for a particular CIS, all, or some ofthe functions available can be enabled (boxes ticked). A box can be ticked

or unticked by tapping once on the box.

The options available are as follows:

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Differential GPS Required:

This box should be ticked if you only want differentially-corrected (real-

time corrected) GPS data to be logged by the DA Meter. If this box is

ticked, only GPS data that has been derived using a correction message

signal (in real-time) will be logged by the DA Meter. If this box is leftunticked, it means that you will allow the DA Meter to log either standardGPS data or differentially-corrected GPS data, depending upon what is

being output by your receiver at any given time. Please note that if this box

is checked (ticked), GPS data will not be logged unless a real-time

correction signal has been received by the correction message receiver

component of your GPS unit. In most instances, logging standard (ie,uncorrected) GPS data would be preferable to not logging any GPS data.

Use GPS Altitude:

If this box is ticked, altitude data will be included with the position datawhenever GPS data is logged. (Note: Altitude data on some GPS units is not

particularly accurate in CIS applications).

Log GPS at Flags:

If this box is ticked, GPS location data will be logged automatically at flagswhen either the flag button is tapped (directly on the survey screen) or when

the push-button on the designated flag cane is pressed.

Log GPS at DCP/Feature:If this box is ticked, GPS position data will be logged automatically at

Devices or Geo-Features when either the Device button is tapped onthe survey screen and a Device reading is logged or when the Geo-Feat.

button is tapped on the survey screen and a geo-feature is noted.

Auto Log GPS:

By tapping on the drop down menu button in the Auto Log GPS field, the

selections available will be displayed as indicated below.

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By selecting one of these options, you can elect to have the GPS position

data logged automatically at every survey reading, at every second reading,at every fifth reading, at every tenth reading, or not at all (never) at survey

readings.

Step 15:Tap once on the Next button

The specific screen that will appear (Setup 3 of 5 screen) will depend on if

you selected Trigger CIS mode or Continuous CIS mode back at

Step 6 and whether or not you selected Metric units.

If Trigger CIS mode was selected, for example, the screens shown below

will appear for the non-metric and the metric cases.

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Step 16:

Select Voltage Reading Interval (Distance Between Recordings)

By tapping once in the field in the Setup 3 of 5 screen labeled Distance Per

Reading you can typein the voltage reading interval (distance in feet (or

meters) expected between recordings) for the CIS. Typically, in CIS work

this expected interval distance is 2.5 feet (or 1 meter).

Step 17:Select Survey Flag Interval (Distance Between Survey Flags)

By tapping once in the field in the Setup 3 of 5 screen labeled Distance

Between Flags, you can type in the survey flag interval (distance betweensurvey flags) for the section of pipeline being measured. Typically, survey

flags are located at 100 feet intervals (or around 30 meter intervals).

Step 18:Select the maximum permissible error between the actual number of

recordings made between 2 survey flags and the expected number ofrecordings.

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By tapping in the field labeled Flag Dist Error Limit % you can type in the

maximum permissible error. For example, the maximum permissible erroris indicated as 20% on the above screens. If the recording interval is

expected to be 2.5 feet and the survey flag separation is 100 feet, it means

that 40 recordings are expected. If, however, only 30 recordings areactually made between survey flags, an error window will appear on the screen, since there is a 25% difference between the expected and actualnumber of recordings made. No error window will appear if the difference

is less than 20% for this example, ie, you could have a minimum of 32

recordings and a maximum of 48 recordings between survey flags to stay

within the 20% (max.) error allowance.

Step 19:

Select whether or not you would like the recordings to be uniformly spacedbetween survey flags in cases where the actual number of recordings madebetween flags deviates from the projected number (flag separation

recording interval).

By tapping in the box labeled Auto Pacing Mode, and inserting a tick in

the box, you will enable the DA Meter to automatically adjust the actual

recordings and space them evenly over a 100 feet span (distance between

survey flags), regardless of the actual number of recordings made. This

selection is highly recommended.

Step 20:Select the number of reference electrodes (canes) that will be used in the CIS

The number of reference electrodes (also known as data probes) that will be

used in the CIS can be selected by tapping on either the one or two

circle in the box labeled Number of Data Probes.

Step 21:

Provide the Name of the Pipeline:

By tapping once in the field labeled Name of P/L, you can type in the

pipeline name. Note: This is not the same as the filename for the CIS thatwas selected back in Step 4. This is the actual name of the pipeline.

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Step 22:Provide the Valve Segment Identification Number (or Name)

By tapping once in the field labeled Valve Segment, you can type in the

valve segment number, or name (if known).

Step 23:Provide the Starting Location for the Survey

Tap the pull-down list arrow button in the Starting Location field, which

will reveal the options available regarding how you would like locationinformation to be displayed. The Setup 3 of 5 screen will be as shown

below for the non-metric case.

You can select to have location information displayed on the survey screen

as station number, feet or milepost (station number, meters or kilometers forthe metric case).

Whichever selection you make here will determine how you enter your

starting location information.

For example, if your pipeline locations are represented by station numbers,you would select Station Number from the drop down list and you would

enter a starting location for the survey in the form of a station number. [Ifyou do not know the station number where youre beginning your survey,enter 0+0.0].

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As an example, if you are working on pipeline ABC within valve segment

45 and you are about to begin a CIS at station number 12+0.0, your Setup 3of 5 screen would be as shown below.

Step 24:Tap once on the Next button on Setup 3 of 5 screen

The screen shown below will appear (Setup 4 of 5 screen).

Step 25:Provide the Work Order Number for the CIS

By tapping once in the field labeled Work Order #, you can type in the

work order number for the CIS if appropriate.

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Step 26:Provide Your Name

By tapping once in the field labeled Technician Name you can type in

your name.

Step 27:Provide Comments

By tapping once in the field labeled Comments/Description, you can enter

any comments you might have regarding the survey (perhaps weatherconditions, soil conditions etc.).

Also shown on the Setup 4 of 5 screen are the File Name and the date/time.

Note: Do not attempt to change the File Name indicated here as this

identification will be required by the ProActive software to transfer

your CIS data to your PC or server.

Step 28:Make Voltmeter Read Mode Selection

Tap once on the Next button on the Setup 4 of 5 screen

The Setup 5 of 5 screen will appear as shown below.

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The above screen is used to establish the mode in which the digital voltmeter

will be operating during the CIS measurements. Remember, the data beinglogged by the DA Meter are actually voltages that are measured by a

voltmeter.

The 5 choices available for the voltmeters reading mode are observed by

tapping once on the pull-down-list arrow button in the Read Mode field.The screen will appear as shown below.

The 5 choices for voltmeter mode are as follows:

Note: Selection of voltmeter mode should be made with reference to

your selection of Rectifier Mode back at Step 9 and your selection ofGPS Accessory back at Step 13.

Single Read:

This voltmeter mode would be selected if you were performing a

non-interrupted CIS, with either the rectifiers ON continuously [AlwaysON] or OFF continuously [depolarized pipeline].

On/Off Pairs (DSP mode):

This voltmeter mode would be selected if you were performing a

High/Low CIS (current-interrupted CIS). In this mode, the voltmeter usesdigital signal processing to determine the voltage during the ON portion of

the rectifier-current cycle and the voltage during the OFF portion of thecurrent cycle. A measurable difference between the High and the Low

voltage readings is required for this mode, ie, a measurable IR drop is

required.

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With this voltmeter reading mode selected, after tapping on the OK

button, the screen shown below will appear.

The specific On and Off times for the particular current-interruption

waveform cycle that will be employed during your CIS should be entered inthe Cycle (ms) fields. The On and the Off times should be entered inmilli-seconds.

Note: Ideally, the interruption waveform period (which is the On time plus

the Off time) should be less than the time between triggered voltage

recordings on a CIS. For short waveform periods (< 1 second, for example)

this is not a concern, as a typical walking pace would translate to a time

between triggered voltage recordings of greater than 1 second.

However, care should be taken if longer waveform periods are in effect (for

example, several seconds long waveform periods), in which case a slowerthan normal walking (and triggering) pace would have to be employed to

avoid recording several same value readings until such times as a newwaveform cycle has occurred.

On/Off Pairs (Min/Max mode):

This voltmeter mode would be selected if you were performing a High/Low

CIS but the DA Meter was having trouble distinguishing between the Highand the Low voltage readings. This would be the case, for example, if the

IR drop was very small (remember that the difference between High and

Low voltage readings in a current-interrupted CIS is just the magnitude of

the IR drop). In this case, the voltmeter would determine the average of the

maximum and minimum voltages read during each rectifier-current cycle.

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With this voltmeter reading mode selected, the screen shown below will

appear.

Again, you would make your selection of ON and OFF cycle times. In this

case, you would also provide a number for the Moving Average Samples.In the above case, since the number 4 has been entered, 4 sample readingswould be used to compute an average value for the Minimum (Min) voltage

reading during each OFF portion of the cyclic waveform and, also, 4 sample

readings would be used to compute an average value for the Maximum

(Max) voltage reading during each ON portion of the waveform.

On/Off Pairs (GPS Sync):

This voltmeter mode can be selected if you are using the MCM GPS unit onyour DA Meter and current-interrupter switches equipped with GPS unitswere being employed on your rectifiers. In this case, voltage readings

(High/Low readings) are synchronized with the current-interrupter switchingtiming.

With this voltmeter reading mode selected, the screen shown below will

appear.

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Again, you would make your selection of ON and OFF cycle times.

Also, in this case, you would tap on the GPS Settings button, which would

bring up the screen shown below.

You are being asked here to make several selections.

First, select the type of GPS unit you will be using (currently, only the MCM

GPS unit can be used in the GPS Sync voltage reading mode).

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Next, enter your On Delay and your Off Delay selections by tapping in

the appropriate field and typing in the requested delay time in milliseconds.These delay times are employed so that any spiking in the voltage waveform

that might occur as the rectifier-current is switched from ON to OFF and

from OFF to ON does not become a factor in the voltmeters determinationof the true ON and OFF voltage values for each CIS measurement. Forexample, if 150 ms was selected for the Off Delay, the data logger wouldrecord the voltage value sampled 150 ms after the rectifier-current was

switched from the ON to the OFF state. Also, if 150 ms was selected for the

On Delay the data logger would record the voltage value sampled 150 ms

after the rectifier-current was switched from the OFF to the ON state.

Finally, select your current-interrupters Downbeat frequency. As

indicated by tapping on the pull-down-list arrow button in the Downbeat

field, there are 3 selection choices; Each Minute, Each Hour and Midnight.If Each Minute is an option for your current-interrupter, we suggest

making this selection. Also, if your interruption cycle starts with the current

in the ON state (the first transition is from ON to OFF), place a tick in the

Start Cycle box (remove the tick if the opposite is true).

Single Read (GPS Timing):

This voltmeter mode is similar to the Single Read mode except that in thiscase the data logger uses the GPS clock signal to associate voltage

recordings with the actual time they were made.

With this voltmeter reading mode selected, the screen shown below will

appear.

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The only additional information that needs to be supplied here is the type of

GPS unit you will be using, which you can select by tapping on the GPSSettings button. Currently, only the MCM GPS unit can be used in this

voltmeter reading mode application.

Step 29:Select Voltmeter Range and Input Impedance

By tapping on the pull-down list arrow button in the Range field, you can

select the voltmeter range and input impedance settings for your application.

The recommended settings for the voltmeter for CIS are 5.7 Volts DC

(full-scale) and an input impedance value of 400MOhm, These settings

provide a relatively-fast response time (~80 ms), which is important inrectifier-current-interrupted applications. Also, a 400MOhm input

impedance setting eliminates reading errors associated with any high

source resistance measurements.

Note: Caution has to be exercised if any of the ranges beginning with the

number 4 (for example, 4V, 400mV or 40mV) are selected for CIS

applications, since these represent relatively-slow response settings. Suchsettings provide a higher level of AC filtering, but at the expense of speed of

response. Rather than the response time of 80ms for the 5.7V range, these

settings have a response time greater than 1 second. Consequently, suchsettings are not appropriate for fast current-interruption cycles, ie,

interruption On and Off times shorter than 1 second, as true On and Off

potentials would not be recorded.

Step 30:Pull Up Active Survey Screen.

Tap once on the OK button on the Voltmeter Setting screen (or the GPS

Settings screen), which will pull up the Survey screen shown below.

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As voltages are recorded by the DA Meter (by either tapping on the Readbutton on the Survey screen or by pressing the appropriate cane push button,

the Distance From Start (total distance from the start of the survey)

parameter will increase in increments of 2.5 feet, or whatever the Distance

Per Reading value was that was entered back at Step 16. (Distances will bein meters, if the metric option was selected).

Also, the Distance From Know Station parameter will increase in the same

increments as voltages are recorded. The difference in this case, however,

will be that when each known station is registered, this distance parameter

will begin again at zero. In other words, this will show the distance you are

assumed by the DA Meter to have traveled from the last known station thatyou encountered (and registered).

You are now ready to perform a close interval survey using the

DA Meter.

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III. 3 How to Make Changes to Your Set Up Selections

Once youve setup the DA Meter for a particular Close Interval Survey, as

described in the above Section, you can make changes to your setup

selections with the exception of your Survey Type selection and the

currently indicated Location. If you have selected a Trigger Mode CIS,for example, you cannot change to a Continuous Mode CIS, without

setting up a new survey.

You can, however, make other selection changes. For example, if you

examine the pipe-to-soil voltage waveform prior to beginning a survey(highly recommended) and discover that the IR drop magnitude is quite

small, or there is considerable noise on the waveform, you might decide to

switch the voltmeter reading mode from On/Off Pairs (DSP mode) to On/OffPairs (Min/Max mode). Or, in another case, you might decide to change theDistance Per Reading interval from 2.5 feet to 5.0 feet, for example.

To make setup selection changes, tap on Survey Options at the top of the

screen. The screen will appear as shown below.

To make (allowed) changes, tap on Settings on the above menu, tap on Change Global Settings and proceed to make any desired changes.To simply view your Set Up selections, you can tap on View Settings on

the above menu (after tapping on Survey Options).

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SECTION IV: TEST EQUIPMENT HOOK-UPS FOR CIS

IV. 1 How to make Cable Hook-Ups for CIS Measurements

The connections for CIS measurements employing MCM test equipment are

illustrated in Figure 4.

Figure 4: Cable Connections for Hook-Up of MCMs CIS

Test Equipment

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As can be seen from Figure 4, a pair of canes (reference electrodessee

Section II. 4) is illustrated, the left-hand cane (red cane) and the right-handcane (green cane). These canes, which will be placed on the soil above the

pipeline in an alternating fashion, have push buttons on top of the handles so

that the operator can trigger voltage recordings on his command at each ofthe CIS measurement locations as well as at Devices. See Section III. 2for a discussion on cane button functionality (Step 7 of the Set Up Process).

The canes (data probes) are connected as shown to the input terminals of

the dual-probe adapter and the output terminal of the adapter is connected

to a 5-pin Data Probe Connector socket on the top side of the DA Meter.This effectively connects the canes (reference electrodes) to the negative

terminal of the data-logger (DA Meter). For CIS, the cables connecting thedata probes to the dual-probe adapter are both black band cables.

In order that the DA Meter will record pipe-to-soil voltages when the

canes are triggered, the positive (red) banana plug terminal on the back ofthe DA Meter is connected as shown to the pipe via a spool of wire

contained in a Hip Pack. The connection to the pipe is made by hooking acable from the red terminal on the DA Meter (banana plug terminal) to the

banana plug terminal on the underside of the Hip Pack and connecting the

trail wire coming out of the topside of the Hip Pack to the Test StationElectrode (and therefore to the pipe).

A GPS receiver unit is also illustrated in Figure 4. Such a unit can be

connected to the DA Meter in order that the position of items such as flags,devices and geo-features can be recorded during the performance of a CIS,

either manually by tapping on the log GPS button on the survey screen at

each critical location or automatically by pre-programming the DA Meter as

described in Section III. 2 (Steps 13 and 14).

IV. 2 How to Attach Cables and Accessories to the DA Meter

The terminals on the back of the DA Meter for the various connections

described above are illustrated in Figure 5.

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Figure 5: Connection terminals on rear of the DA Meter

The 5-pin Data Probe Connector is shown above as Terminal 1. As

discussed above, the reference electrode canes are connected to this terminal

via the dual probe adapter. Again, the reference electrodes are effectively

connected to the negative terminal of the voltmeter with this connection.

(Consequently, the black banana plug terminal (Terminal 4) is not usedwhen push button canes are employed)

The red (positive) banana plug terminal (for connection to the hip pack) is

shown as Terminal 3. This will establish connection to the positive

terminal of the voltmeter.

Terminal 5 is a GPS Accessory terminal. A GPS receiver capable of

outputting NMEA data (such as a Trimble Pathfinder unit or the MCM unit)

would be connected to Terminal 5 (9-pin terminal). Terminal 2 is currently

earmarked for future use.

Finally, Terminal 5 is also used (after performing a CIS and removing theNMEA GPS receiver, if used) to connect a serial data communication cableto a PC in order that the survey data recorded by the DA Meter can be

uploaded to a PC. See Section VI for a discussion on how to transfer(upload) CIS data to a PC for data management.

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SECTION V: HOW TO PERFORM CLOSE INTERVAL

SURVEYS

V. 1 How to Carry the Test Equipment During a CIS

With the equipment connected as shown in Figure 4, and the DA Meter set

up as described in Section III. 2, you are now ready to perform a Close

Interval Survey.

To make a pipeline survey more manageable, MCM has developed a special

harness which allows the DA Meter and the trail-wire Hip Pack to be carriedaround the waist area in a hands-free fashion, allowing the individual to be

able to position the reference electrodes (canes) over the pipeline (every 2.5

feet, or so, in an alternating manner) and to be able to trigger the push button canes when appropriate to do so.

With the harness assembly, the DA Meter sits on a tray at waist level

allowing the operator to view the screen at all times and to make any

selections required by tapping on the screen. Also, the dual-probe adaptershown in Figure 4, is attached to the underside of the tray, allowing

convenient (5 pin cable) connection of the adapters output to the DAMeter. [Again, this will effectively connect both data-probes (reference

electrode canes) to the negative terminal of the voltmeter].

The Hip Pack, which contains a spool of copper wire (trail wire) [typically 1

mile or 3 miles in length], is attached to the waist belt of the harness and, as

described in Section IV. 1, a cable connects the banana plug terminal on theunderside of the Hip Pack to the red (positive) banana plug terminal on theDA Meter. Typically, the Hip Pack sits on the operators left-hand side at

waist level.

In addition, a GPS receiver unit (together with its battery pack and antenna)

can also be attached to the waist band of the harness, typically on theoperators back at waist level, with the antenna rising to above-head height.

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V. 2 How to Examine and Record a High/Low Voltage Waveform

When you are performing a High/Low (current-interrupted) CIS, it is

recommended that you examine the pipe-to-soil voltage waveform at your

starting location (starting test station) and it is suggested that you make arecording of this voltage waveform using your DA Meter. The nature of thevoltage waveform that you are examining will reflect the nature of therectifier-current waveform that is currently in-effect on your pipeline.

With at least one of the two reference electrodes making good electrical

contact with the soil above the pipe at the first test station and a test cableconnected from the test station to the red banana plug terminal on the DA

Meter (the cable connection to the Hip Pack will be temporarilydisconnected), you will see voltage readings displayed for the ON and the

OFF portions of the current-interrupted waveform cycle for each cyclesee screen shown below for a snap-shot.

To examine the ON/OFF pipe-to-soil voltage waveform, tap once on the

WAVE button on the menu bar at the top of the Survey screen.

Alternatively, tap on the Survey Options button and then tap on Wave.

The screen shown below will appear.

By tapping once on the Read button on the above screen, you can view the

actual ON/OFF voltage waveform. A typical waveform would be as shownin the following screen.

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As can be seen from the above screen, the voltage reading is High for 0.7

sec. and Low for 0.3 sec. which was the prescribed cycle for the rectifier-

current in our example.

It can also be noted by examining the above pipe-to-soil voltage waveform

that the transitions from High-to-Low and from Low-to-High readings arequite sharp (as opposed to being step-like). This means that all rectifiershaving an affect on this section of pipe are being switched ON and OFF in a

synchronized fashion, which is the ideal case.

To record this waveform, tap once on the save button on the above screen.

The Save As window shown below will appear on the screen.

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You are being asked here to establish a file in which the waveform data will

be stored (saved). The name of this file will be the name you type into theName box on the above screen. For ease of future retrieval when you

have uploaded your survey data to the Data Management software package

(ProActive) [see Section VI], it is recommended that you use the same nameas your survey filename with the addition of something like Wave TS 1 tothe file name. This would represent the waveform data recorded at TestStation 1 at the beginning of your survey.

You should then tap once on the OK button. This process will save the

waveform data in the DA Meters CompactFlash memory in the DA

Meter_DATA folder for future reference.

Tap once on the Exit button on the waveform screen and this will bring

you back to the survey screen.

V. 3 How to Record the Voltages at a Starting Test Station:

At this point, it is recommended that you record the ON/OFF voltages at the

starting test station. This will represent the first Device on this survey.

To do so, tap once on the Device button on the survey screen. The

Device Readings screen shown below will appear.

Note: An additional device, named Mark DCVG will be available for

selection if the box labeled, DCVG Sidedrains in CIS Survey waschecked-off during initial survey set up.

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As can be seen from the above screen, you can choose from a number of

Devices. In this case, you would tap once on Single Test Station tohighlight this selection. You should then tap once on the Next button.

The screen shown below will appear.

As shown above, the High and Low voltage readings measured at the

starting test station will be displayed on this screen. You have the option at this point to tap once on the Accept button and then once on the Save

button to record the data at the first test station. As an alternative, you couldpress the trigger button on either your right-hand or left-hand cane (reference

electrode) to record the data, assuming that you selected the accept save option for the canes at D.C.P.s (see Section III. 3, Step 7).

Saving the first test station voltages will bring you back again to the Survey

screen. You are now ready to proceed with the CIS.

V. 4 How to Perform a CIS

In order to illustrate some of the important processes associated with

performing a CIS, we have designed a fictitious section of pipeline and the

steps outlined below with regard to conducting a CIS pertain to this fictitioussection. Our 350 feet long section of pipeline is shown below in Figure 6.

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Figure 6: Fictitious Section of Pipeline

The important features on this section of pipe are as follows:

TS1: Test Station 1. Coincides with station 0+00.0 (reference zero station)

Flags: Located at 1+00.0 (100 feet from reference zero station), 2+00.0

(200 feet from reference zero station) and 3+00.0 (300 feet fromreference zero station).

TS2: Test Station 2 located at 2+40.0 (240 feet from reference zero station)Asphalt Road: A 20 feet wide asphalt road located b/w 2+70.0 and 2+90.0

(270 feet from reference zero to 290 feet from reference zero)Valve: Located at 3+50.0 (350 feet from reference zero station)

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Since, in our example, we have set up the right-hand cane to be the read

cane, voltages will be recorded each time you trigger the right-hand canespush button (by pressing down on the button) as you walk down the length

of the pipeline. Triggering a recording using the right-hand cane button, in

this case, would have the same effect as tapping on the Read button on theabove screen.

Since you recorded voltages at the starting test station (TS1 in Figure 6), you

have already established a Device location and, as shown below, thisdevice is identified in the graph on the survey screen by the letter D. In

fact, all Devices encountered as you go down the length of the surveysection will be marked on the graph in this fashion. Please note, however,

that this first D marker will disappear from the graph as soon as the firstsurvey measurement is recorded. All subsequent Device locations,

however, will be indicated permanently with a D marker on the graph inthe survey screen.

Since we indicated during the DA Meters setup process that we expected to

record voltages every 2.5 feet, each time you trigger readings using the

right-hand canes push button, the data logger will assume that you havetraveled an additional 2.5 feet down the line section. Consequently, youshould try to place the electrodes over the pipe at 2.5 feet intervals.

For instance, the screen will appear as shown below after the second

triggering event (it is assumed that your first reading (first triggering eventwill be at the starting location).

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As can be seen from the above screen, the DA Meter assumes that you are

now at a distance of 2.5 feet from where you started, which was at startingstation 0+0.0 (or, 0+00.0).

The DA Meters software program will add 2.5 feet to the assumed distance

from the starting station every time the right-hand cane button is triggered.

If you recall, we also set things up so that when the left-hand canes pushbutton is pressed (triggered), we would record the location of survey flags,

which are typically placed at 100 feet intervals down the length of the pipe.In this case, triggering the left-hand cane would have the same effect as

tapping once on the Flag button on the survey screen. Consequently,when you encounter your first survey flag and trigger the left-hand cane, the

DA Meters software will assume that you have traveled a distance of 100feet from the starting test station. (A flag is considered a Known Station)

At this point, the screen will appear as shown below.

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Notice that the station number is now 1+00.0 The 1 represents 100 feet,

so the DA Meter assumes that you are now 100 feet from your referencezero location. Notice also the F marker on the graph (for Flag).

If you continue on down the pipe triggering voltage recordings using the

right-hand canes push button until you encounter the next survey flag andyou then press the left-hand canes push button to register this second survey

flag, the screen will appear as shown below.

In this case, the station number is now 2+00.0 The 2 represents an

assumed 200 feet from the reference zero location. A second Flag markeralso appears on the graph.

Lets now assume that you encounter a second test station (TS2 in Figure 6)

at a distance of 40 feet from the second survey flag location and you need todo a reconnect of the trail wire at this location.

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In this case, when you encounter the test station, you would tap once on the

Device button on the survey screen and then highlight reconnect. The

Device Readings screen at this point will appear as shown below.

By tapping once on the Next button, the screen shown below will appear.

You are being prompted here to accept and save the Far Ground voltages

prior to breaking the trail wire connection (see Section III. 2, Step 11 for anexplanation of Far- and Near-Ground readings). By doing so, the screen

shown below will appear.

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At this point you are being prompted to take Metal IR readings at the test

station. To do so, you would connect a test lead from the black banana plugterminal on the DA Meter to the test station and disconnect the reference

electrode data-probes (you could place the ceramic plug ends of the probeson top of your shoes to provide an open circuit). At this point, the DA Meterwill be reading the potential difference between the two test stations (the far-

ground station and the near-ground station). If youd like to record theMetal IR data, you would save the readings by tapping on accept and then

save after setting up to take the readings.

The next screen to appear is as shown below.

In this case, you are being prompted to accept and save the Near Ground

voltages after connecting the trail wire to the second test station (TS2). If

you recorded the Metal IR data, you would first disconnect the test lead fromthe DA Meter and then reconnect the data-probes.

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If the Far- and Near-Ground voltages are within the maximum allowable %

difference range that you established during your setup procedure (seeSection III. 2 step 11), you will be returned to the Survey screen as shown

below. If, on the other hand, the Far- and Near-Ground voltages differ by

more than the allowable range, a window will appear showing all fourreadings and asking you whether or not you will accept the readings as is, orif you would like to re-take the near-ground readings.

Now, lets assume that at an additional 30 feet down the pipe from the

reconnect location, you encounter a Geo-Feature, ie, a geographical

feature of some type. In this case, when you reach this location, you wouldtap once on the Geo-Feat. button on the survey screen. At this point, the

screen would be as shown below.

You can select the type of geo-feature that you have encountered by tappingonce on the pull-down-list arrowbutton in the Feature field.

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Alternatively, you could perform a quick search for the feature by typing in

the Quick Search field the number associated with the feature or the first

few letters of the name of the feature.

If, for example, the geo-feature is an Asphalt Road, and the width of the

road that you have to cross is 20 feet, you can enter a Feature Length of 20feet (see Figure 6). You could restart voltage recordings immediately on the

other side of the road. However, if there is a survey flag an additional 10feet beyond the other side of the road, you might want to restart making

voltage recordings at the flag location. If this were the case, the survey

screen would appear as shown below.

By tapping once on the Save button, the survey screen shown below will

appear.

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As can be seen from the above screen, the DA Meters software assumes

that you are 2.5 feet short of the survey flag on the other side of the asphaltroad and that your next voltages will be recorded when you trigger the

read cane when you are actually at the survey flag location. Notice that a

G marker has been added to the graph (for Geo-Feature).

By triggering the read cane (your right-hand reference electrode cane), the

survey screen shown below will appear. You can also trigger the flag

cane (your left-hand reference electrode cane) at this time, to register thesurvey flag.

Now lets assume that you encounter a Valve at an additional 50 feet

down the pipe from this survey flag (see Figure 6). Since, a valve isconsidered a Device, you would stop and tap once on the Device button

on the survey screen and then tap on Valve. The screen shown belowwould appear.

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In this case, you would record the pipe-to-soil voltages at the valve location

by triggering the right-hand cane (or by tapping once on the Accept buttonand then once on the save button on the survey screen).

Having done so, the screen shown below will appear.

This screen allows you to note the condition of the valve and to make any

relevant comments about the valve.

After tapping once on the Save button, the Survey screen shown below

will appear.

Since, in our fictitious section of pipe, the valve represents the end of the

section, you would terminate the survey by tapping once on Survey in the

menu bar and selecting Finish Survey.

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At this point you have completed the CIS on this section of the pipeline and

the survey data have been stored (saved) in the DA Meters memory in thefile that you named at the outset of the CIS. You are now ready to upload

the survey data to MCMs Database Management System (see Section VI).

V. 5 How to Use the GPS Buttons, if Active, on the Survey Screen

If you selected a GPS receiver type during your setup process (Section III. 2,

step 13), the two GPS button will be active on the Survey screen as shown below.

If you have a GPS receiver attached to your DA Meter (via the COM 1

Port), and the receiver has been properly-configured to output NMEA datastrings (in the GGA formatsee your DA Meter Users Manual, Appendix

1, if you are using a Trimble GPS Pathfinder receiver), you will be able toconveniently examine position data in real-time at any given location on

your survey using these GPS buttons.

By tapping once on the GPS Data button, you can view a summary of the

GPS data associated with your current location. You can also see how many

satellites (Sat. In Use) were used in the determination of the position data for

your present location. Ideally, a minimum of 5 satellites should be involved

for good position accuracy.

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You can also view the NMEA data output by the GPS receiver by tapping

once on the View NMEA Data button on the above window. New

NMEA data will stream into the DA Meter every second. You can freeze

this data by tapping once on the Stop button, which will allow you toexamine the NMEA data strings.

You can also log (record) GPS data at any location on your survey, by

tapping once on the Log GPS button. Alternatively, as discussed inSection III. 2, Step 14, you can pre-program the DA Meter to automatically

log (record) GPS data at items such as Flags, Devices and Geo-Features.

With reference to Section III. 2, Step 14 (setting-up the DA Meter with

GPS choices):

If you placed a tick in the box labeled Log GPS at Flags, GPS data will be

logged automatically at survey flags when either you tapon theFlag button on the survey screen or when you trigger the flag designated

cane.If you placed a tick in the box labeled Log GPS at DCP/Feature, GPS datawill be logged automatically at Devices or Geo-Features when you tap

the Device button o